7. Spread absorbent ground over the image, using a brush. Paint thin layers until you are happy with the coverage. You want to be able to see some of the image, but not too much, since it will be the background for your watercolor painting.

8. Let dry completely. It dries a milky white.

9. Now it's ready to draw on in pencil, pen, or watercolor!

I used a page from a bird book for this background, then drew, inked and watercolored the birds.

A page from my trip to Italy, with the map of Orvieto in the background.

Thank you so much for this tutorial...it comes at a time when I'm carefully studying my one piece of Jane art, the fat quail, and trying to figure out how to get that sense of layering and depth.....can't wait for my day off to try this!

Thanks so much for this tutorial. Would you let us know which liquid acrylic medium you recommend? There is a list of over 30 on the link you provided! I'm new to all this and it would sure help to be able to narrow the supplies down. Thanks again!